Lawmakers send Scott controversial education bill

Gov. Rick Scott now has the controversial, nearly 300-page schools bill that some legislative leaders call a game changer, but many administrators and advocates fear will damage traditional public schools.

The bill has been championed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, as it includes his “schools of hope” plan to entice high-performing charter schools to open near struggling traditional public schools. He and other House leaders say the bill will reform a public education system that too often focuses on bureaucracy rather than students, particularly those attending schools with D and F ratings.

But district administrators — and plenty of school advocates, including the Florida PTA — continue their push to convince Scott to veto the legislation. They dislike, among other things, that it mandates changes to how federal anti-poverty money is spent and requires them to share local tax money with privately run charter schools, both measures they say could hurt disadvantaged students.

The bill also provides for teacher bonuses, mandates recess for elementary school kids and scraps one statewide standardized test, for algebra 2. It also alters teacher evaluation rules and says students can put on sunscreen while at school, among other provisions.

Scott, who has not said if he will sign the bill, is touring the state this week on what his office calls a “Fighting for Florida’s Future Victory Tour.”

Corcoran joined him today at stops in South Florida. And Scott, speaking with reporters in Fort Myers with Corcoran at his side, sounded supportive.

“I’m still reviewing it. I know the speaker is very passionate about it. It was something that was very important to him,” Scott said. “I’ll do the best thing for the systems of the state.”

The tour comes after lawmakers last week agreed to put more money into public education and into state jobs and tourism marketing programs, as Scott wanted. He vetoed portions of their budget and called them back to Tallahassee after the Legislature’s initial spending plan did not provide what he wanted.

Corcoran said school districts are upset about the bill because it gets at their “bloated administration” and “inefficiencies” and their interest in building “Taj Mahals” by having money go with the student, not the school district. “We’re saying focus on beautiful minds, not beautiful buildings.”

Scott has until June 27 to make a decision on the bill.

Foes of the bill remain active, urging residents to call or email Scott’s office with their veto requests. They dislike its provisions and also how it was decided — revealed only on the last day of session — and that it meshed together so many unrelated topics.

Sen. Gary Farmer, D-Fort Lauderdale, who voted against the legislation, pressed Scott to veto “this dreadful piece of legislation” that “has the potential to devastate Florida’s public education system.”

The bill would force districts to share local capital money with charters, which would reduce funds available for needed construction projects, he said in a release. And the bill would allow that money to go to privately run charter management companies, enriching those corporations at the expense of public schools, he added.

The Orange County school district, like others across Florida, has already pleaded with Scott to veto the bill. Its website features this prominently displayed message: “Ask Governor Scott to protect Public Education. Veto HB 7069.”

The district estimates it would lose about $8 million in the coming year if the bill becomes law, among other problems.

“This law does not treat ALL Public Schools the same!” Deputy Superintendent Jesus Jara wrote recently.

“Tallahassee looks more like Washington, D.C., every day,” said Fund Education Now, an Orlando-based advocacy group, in an email that also urged a veto of the bill. “It’s become a place where policy is secretly decided and dictated to others by an elite few who often profit handsomely from setting the agenda.”

The University of Central Florida will offer in-state tuition to students from Puerto Rico through spring 2019.

The University of Central Florida will offer in-state tuition to students from Puerto Rico through spring 2019.

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The University of Central Florida will offer in-state tuition to students from Puerto Rico through spring 2019.

The University of Central Florida will offer in-state tuition to students from Puerto Rico through spring 2019.

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Orange County school district asks community if Stonewall Jackson Middle School should get a new name.

Orange County school district asks community if Stonewall Jackson Middle School should get a new name.

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Superintendents across Central Florida offered assurances Thursday that they are doing as much as they can to evaluate security on school campuses. But anxious parents and teachers wonder if it will ever be enough.

Superintendents across Central Florida offered assurances Thursday that they are doing as much as they can to evaluate security on school campuses. But anxious parents and teachers wonder if it will ever be enough.

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Florida again ranks fourth in nation for student success on Advanced Placement exams.

Florida again ranks fourth in nation for student success on Advanced Placement exams.